Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observation When asked about class policies, my CT simply reached down into his desk drawer and pulled out of a file, (one of many) a policy handout. He informed that the first day of school was very important in that it set the tone for the class. He emphatically informed me that it is much easier for a teacher to start off strict and come across as a taskmaster, followed later in the term with what he described as softening up which develops the fair but tough aspect of an effective teacher. The handout required that the student have his/her guardian sign the policy handout and return it the next day. Slater Middle School operates in a team fashion. Student classes are grouped into teams of similar grades and the class policy handout is a team based handout. There are six categories: vMaterials vHomework vAttendance/punctuality vClassroom Behavior vRewards vConsequences My CT emphasized the reward segment where team trips and activities were vital in motivating the students. He also highlighted the benefit of teachers working as a team in dealing with discipline in a consistent manner. Unity is power. Reflection Being a parent and now a grandparent I understand the importance of a consistent approach to discipline within the relationship of a child. Middle school students are all about testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Their motives for boundary testing are rooted in their desire to begin acting like adults, all the while using current adults in their social network as models for adult behavior. Teachers must keep in mind that not all students will have the best models of behavior in their familial setting; therefore must do their best at providing a good model in the school environment. Hence the TEAM POLICY handout, which in part is trying to send the message to the student that parents and teachers are on the same adult TEAM and are cooperating for the good of the child. I especially liked the Be tough at first advice. I know that since I will be teaching the same students in the spring that I am currently interacting with, I must now present myself as “tough” in the initial interactions and then work in the “fair” soon after. This means I must present myself to the students as a respectful, caring, knowledgeable authority figure whose main concern is helping them learn things. I also understand that I must meet and develop a working relationship with the rest of the Slater Eighth Grade Team Blue. They, as well as my CT, will be helpful in my student teacher endeavor. Practicing my collaborative teacher skills begins immediately.
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Observation
When asked about class policies, my CT simply reached down into his desk drawer and pulled out of a file, (one of many) a policy handout. He informed that the first day of school was very important in that it set the tone for the class. He emphatically informed me that it is much easier for a teacher to start off strict and come across as a taskmaster, followed later in the term with what he described as softening up which develops the fair but tough aspect of an effective teacher.
The handout required that the student have his/her guardian sign the policy handout and return it the next day. Slater Middle School operates in a team fashion. Student classes are grouped into teams of similar grades and the class policy handout is a team based handout. There are six categories:
v Materials
v Homework
v Attendance/punctuality
v Classroom Behavior
v Rewards
v Consequences
My CT emphasized the reward segment where team trips and activities were vital in motivating the students. He also highlighted the benefit of teachers working as a team in dealing with discipline in a consistent manner. Unity is power.
Reflection
Being a parent and now a grandparent I understand the importance of a consistent approach to discipline within the relationship of a child. Middle school students are all about testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Their motives for boundary testing are rooted in their desire to begin acting like adults, all the while using current adults in their social network as models for adult behavior. Teachers must keep in mind that not all students will have the best models of behavior in their familial setting; therefore must do their best at providing a good model in the school environment. Hence the TEAM POLICY handout, which in part is trying to send the message to the student that parents and teachers are on the same adult TEAM and are cooperating for the good of the child.
I especially liked the Be tough at first advice. I know that since I will be teaching the same students in the spring that I am currently interacting with, I must now present myself as “tough” in the initial interactions and then work in the “fair” soon after. This means I must present myself to the students as a respectful, caring, knowledgeable authority figure whose main concern is helping them learn things.
I also understand that I must meet and develop a working relationship with the rest of the Slater Eighth Grade Team Blue. They, as well as my CT, will be helpful in my student teacher endeavor. Practicing my collaborative teacher skills begins immediately.
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Class Topic:Class Policies
Grade:8
Observed by:Lionel Tessier